Hydraulically driven twisting apparatus



R. D. HEFFELFINGER HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN TWISTING APPARATUS Dec. 4, 1951 2,576,936

Filed April 12, 1949 ROBERT D. HEFF'ELF/NGER Patented Dec. 4, 1951 HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN TWISTING APPARATUS Robert D. Hefleliinger, Lansdowne, Pa., assignor I to American viscose Corporation, Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 12, 1949, Serial No. 87,101

16 Claims. (01. 57-80 i as meshing or interconnected gears, a chain and sprocket drive, or a belt which passes around the pulleys of the spindles and the pulley of a motor. For example, when changes in the relative speed of the spindles are desired in a belt and pulley drive system, the pulleys and the belt are replaced by another set of pulleys and a belt of different size. Such changes are time-consuming and necessitate the stocking and storing of many pulleys or other change-over equipment to make twisting machinery adaptable to the forming of a variety of strand types and/or operating at a variety of twisting speeds. Consequently, the

practical number of strand-product species which a machine may produce is limited.

Moreover, it is desired to be able to carefully regulate the speeds of twisting and strand transfer rates of all or a portion of the machines in an entire twisting room simultaneously without the necessity for making extensive and numerous adjustments on the various pieces of equipment.

It is an object oi the invention to be able to drive a great number of twisting spindles by a single driving means and to be able to regulate the speed of said spindles simultaneously by a single control. It is a further object to provide a drive system for doubling or cord twisting machines in which the rotative speed oi. the separate twisters may be varied as desired. Still another object is to provide cord-tension sensitive means for separately controlling the tension and stopping of each cord twister including its related singles-twisters in a system comprising a plurality of cord twisters.

These and other objects ancillary thereto, which will become apparent as the invention is described, are accomplished by twisting apparatus in which each twister, regardless of the type and the nature of the strand passing through it, is driven by a hydraulic motor which derives power from a liquid supplied under pressure from a common supply means. The pressure of the fluid,

is maintained at a level well above that needed to run anyone of the motors. A pressure regulating means is placed in the supply line to each motor so that it may be caused to operate at a desired speed. The twisting apparatus includes also emergency stopping means responsive to changes in the tension of the cord.

In the single figure of the drawing, twisting apparatus is diagrammatically illustrated in elevation comprising the .two cord twisting units 4 and 5 and a hydraulic system used for supplying the driving power required to operate the units. Each 'unit comprises singles-twisters 8 and 9 and a cord twister l0. As the twisting units 4 and 5 are identical, only 'one will be described in detail. The twisters 8, 9 and H! are driven by hydraulic motors l2, l3 and M, respectively. These motors are preferably mounted so that their shafts are contiguous with the spindle shafts of the twisters. The motors provided are of any conventional type which will develop suitable spindle speeds. The size of the motors depends to a large extent on the pressure of the liquid used to drive them, the speed, and the weight of strand being twisted. The singles-twister motors l2 and i3 are supplied with liquid by lines I6 and I8 connected to the solenoid-operated valve 31. Liquid passing through the lines I 6 and I8 is supplied to the valve 31 through the line Ilia connected with the high pressure line 20. The cord twister motors M are connected with a separate supply line l9 through lines H and [la so that the rotative speeds of a plurality of cord twisters driven by the system herein described may be controlled simultaneously by a single valve [9a in the line I9 but independently of the singlestwisters of the system which may be controlled similarly by a valve 20a in the line 20. The singles-twisters, i. e. twisters 8 and 9, will ordinarily operate at the same or at slightly difierent speed than the cord twister I0 since a procedure is generally followed wherein the twist imparted to the strand leaving the singles-twisters is removed to some extent by reverse twisting performed on the strands by the twister It in forming the cord. However, it may be desired to oper ate the twisters 8 and 9 at a substantially different speed than the twister l0. Preferably, a constant pressure is maintained in the lines 19 and 20 greater than that needed to run the motors l2, l3 and It so that there is always reserve pressure available from the liquid supply lines to adjust the speeds of the motors upwardly.

Due to mechanical difierences, the speeds of apparently identical motors will vary in response to the application of liquid at any specific pressure. 80 that all motors operating from a common supply line may be adjusted to the same speed, or to any other speed desired, the separate feed line of each motor is provided with a synchronizing valve. Accordingly, the speeds 'of the motors I 2, 3 and I4 may be separately regulated by separately adjusting valves 3|, 33 and 32, respectively. When the desired adjustment of these valves is obtained, any speed ratio desired between the cord twisters and the singles-twisters may be obtained by adjustment of the valves I90 and 26a.

The exhaust portions of the motors of both groups are connected to an exhaust line 2| which leads to a tank or sump 24. Since the oil or other liquid which drives the motors becomes heated in passing through the motors, cooling means may be provided such as a cooler 25. In the arrangement shown, oil is permitted to exhaust at atmospheric pressure from the motors. Oil is pumped from the sump 24 to the motors by means of the pump 28. In order to protect the pump and the motors from abrasion, a filter 29 is provided in the supply line to the pump 28 to remove impurities from the oil.

In the event of breakage of a strand or the cord, either twisting unit 4 or may be stopped by an operation of a solenoid valve 31. The solenoid valve 31 is energized when the button of one of the switches 40 or 4| is engaged by a lever 42. As may be observed from the electrical lines illustrated, the operation of either one of these switches closes the circuit connected with the power lines 44 and 45 to energize the solenoid coil of the valve 31.

Lever 42 pivots on one end at 48 and rotatably supports a roller element 50 having two surfaces shown as 'having different diameters but which need not be different. The surface 5| is engaged by a brake shoe 52 mounted 'on the piston rod of a fluid cylinder 53; the other cylindrical surface 54, a strand gathering surface of different diameter than the brake surface, receives strands 55 and 56 and discharges two-ply untwisted cord 58 comprising the strands.

The tension in the cord 58 is automatically controlled by variation in the pressure of the brake shoe 52 upon the roller 50 caused by variations in the fluid pressure applied to the cylinder 53. These pressure variations are transmitted through the line 60 from a pressure-sensitive valve 62 operated by a link 64 pivotably attached to the lever 42. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the valve 62 through lines 66 and 66a connected with the high pressure supply line 20. The line 66 may be connected, if desired, with other fluid supply means of uniform pressure other than the line 20. Fluid is discharged from the valve through a line 61 connected with the low pressure fluid-return line 2|. Fluid leaving the valve passes simultaneously into the lines 60 and 61. The relative amounts passing into these lines is determined by the force transmitted to the valve through the' link 64 and the connected leverage system for registering the tension in the cord 56. Movement of the valve in response to a decrease in tension causes a diversion of liquid into the line 60 and a resulting increase in pressure therein which is transmitted to the cylinder 53. The increase in braking pressure on the annular surface 5| produced by operation of the fluid cylinder causes an increase in the tension of the cord 58. Conversely, an increase in tension in the cord 58 produces a downward movement of the roller 50 and the lever 42' about the pivot 43. Such a movement causes the valve 62 to exhaust or reduce the pressure in the line 60 and the cylinder 53, thus relieving a portion of the braking force applied to the roller 50. As a result, the roller 56 is allowed to turn with greater freedom and relieve the increase in tension.

The machine may be adjusted so that breakage of the cord 58 or parting of one of the strands 55 or 56 produces such a reduction in tension that the lever 42, urged upward or clockwise about the pivot 48 by a compression spring 6|,

engages the button 10 of the switch 4| to stop the apparatus. Similarly, should a sudden sna ging or tangling of the strands 55 or 56 occur, the lever 42 is forced downward against the button ll of the switch 40 to stop the machine. The valve 62 may be operated by liquid supplied directly from the supply line 20 at full pressure, or if desired, at lower pressure obtained by inserting a pressure reducing valve 14 in the line 66a.

The hydraulic system herein described includes valve means, such as the speed synchronizing valves 3|, 32 and 33 as the means for controlling the relative speeds of individual spindles. Simple valves are suitable when the load on each motor does not vary to any appreciable extent and the pressure of the liquid in the lines supplying the motors is maintained at a constant level.

However, in installations wherein a load imposed on the motor may vary, or the supply line pressure is subject to variations, automatic pressure regulators may be used in place of the valves 3|, 32, and 33 in order to vary the pressure transmitted to a motor according to that needed to maintain a constant speed of rotation. Such regulating means may comprise any one of the conventional regulators in commercial supply.

In order to maintain a uniform pressure in the supply line or manifold 20, the speed or output of the pump 28 may be automatically regulated, or a pressure regulator included in the system to permit the by-passing of fluid into the short return line 8| discharging into the tank 24 so that contant pressure may be maintained while operating the system at high reserve capacity.

A system for transmitting energy by hydraulic means such as described has, as a principal advantage, infinitely flexible operation with respect to the relative speeds of spindles within the maximum speeds of rotation permitted in the operation of such equipment. It is not limited to the number of ratio and speed variations possible by means such as belt and pulley or gear driven systems. Moreover, it avoids the necessity for maintaining and stocking a great inventory of gears, pulleys, belts, etc. By using a medium which is in itself a lubricant, extremely long servive periods are obtained when using the equipment of the invention. Moreover, the hydraulic equipment described lends itself admirably to the inclusion of means for automatically controlling the speeds of the spindles and the yarn tension as well as means associated therewith for effecting emergency stops.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for effecting emergency stops and regulating the tension of strands in cord-twisting machines comprising a rotatable element having one annular surface over which the strands 'by tension in the strands, spaced electrical switching means positioned to limit the movement range of the lever and which are actuated by contact of the lever therewith, solenoid-controlledvalve means in electrical connection with the switching means for interrupting the passage of liquid to hydraulic motors used to drive the twisters of the machine, a, valve having a controller therefor linked to the lever, said valve having a fluid-receiving portion connected witha fluid supply means maintained at uniform pres sure and an adjustable fluid-discharging portion connected with the fluid cylinder and an exhaust port, said fluid-discharging portionresponsive to the controller to vary the relative pressure of the liquid entering the exhaust port and the connection with the fluid cylinder.

2. A strand-forming machine comprising a plurality of singles twisters; means for doubling a plurality-of strands into a cord; tension-controlling means positioned between the singles twisters and the doubling means for collecting strands passing from the twisters into a group and discharging the group to the doubling means under substantially uniform tension; said tensioncontrolling means comprising a movable member about which the strands pass to the doubling means, the movement of said member being responsive to the tension in the strand material, resilient means for urging the member in a direction opposite that caused by increase in tension of the strand material, means for varying the speed of passage of the strand material about the member, and means responsive to the movement of the member caused by variation in tension for automatically actuating the speed-varying means.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2 in which the movable member is an idler roller about the peripheral surface of which the strand material passes, and the means for varying the speed of the strand material about the member comprises means for retarding the rotation of the roller.

4. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister for receiving strands simultaneously from the singles twisters, a separate hydraulic motor for driving each twister, each motor having an intake and an exhaust for the liquid, a feed manifold, the intake of each singles twister motor being separately connected to the manifold, a second manifold connected with the intake of the cord twister motor, a liquid reservoir, a pump having an intake connected with the reservoir and a discharge connected with the manifolds, regulating means between the pump discharge and each manifold for separately controlling the liquid passing into each manifold, a pressure relief means in communication with the manifolds and the pump discharge, said pressure relief means having a liquid discharging port in com-; munication with the reservoir for passing liquid therento when a predetermined pressure is exceeded in the manifolds, and duct means connecting the reservoir and the exhausts of the motors, and separate means for regulating the 6 passage of fluid to each motor from the manifold connected therewith.

5. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group, and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said de vice comprising a resiliently supported .member which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, means for retarding the movement of the strand group from the device, control means for adjustably actuating the retarding means in response to movement of the member, said control means being connected with the retarding means and the member to produce less retardation of the strand as the member moves in the direction along which the strand group leaves the device.

6. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group, and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said device comprising a resiliently supported rotary member which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, said rotary member having an annular gathering surface for the strands, adjustable means for retarding the rotation of the member, control means for the retarding means responsive to movement of the member and connected with the retarding means so as to decrease the retardation of the rotary element proportionally to the movement of the member in the direction of departure of the strand group from the gathering surface.

'7. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said device comprising a resiliently supported rotary member which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, said member having an annular gathering surface for the strands and an annular friction surface, a friction member supported for movement toward and away from the friction surface, means for controlling the movement of the friction member in response to movementof the rotary member and connected with the friction member to decrease the pressure thereof on the friction surface in proportion to the movement of the rotary member in the direction of departure of the strand group from the gathering surface.

8. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said device comprising a resiliently supported lever which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, a rotary member supported by the lever and having an annular gathering surface for the strands and an annular asvaoae brake surface, liquid-pressure control means responsive to the movement of the lever and connected with the shoe to vary the pressure of the shoe on the surface, said control means being connected with the lever to reduce the pressure of the shoe against the surface when the liquid pressure in the control means is reduced in response to movement of the lever in the direction of departure of the strand group from the gathering surface.

9. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a. cord twister, driving means for the twisters, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group, and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said device comprising a resiliently supported rotary member which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, said rotary member having an annular gathering surface for the strands, adjustable means for retarding the rotation of the member, control means for the retarding means responsive to movement of the member and connected with the retarding means so as to decrease the retardation of the member proportionally to the movement of the member in the direction of departure of the strand group from the gatherin surface, spaced electrical switches which limit the range of movement traversible by the member, one of said switches being closed when the member reaches one end of its range of movement, and electrically actuated control means for stopping the driving means connected electrically with the limit switches.

10. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister, a hydraulic motor for each of the twisters, and an automatically adjustable strand tensioning device mounted to receive'strands from the singles twisters, gather them into a group, and discharge the group toward the cord twister at substantially uniform tension, said device comprising a resiliently supported lever which is movable in the direction of departure of the strand group from the device, a rotary member supported by the lever and having an annular gathering surface for the strands, adjustable means for retarding the rotation of the member, control means for the retarding means responsive to movement of the lever and connected with the retarding means so as to decrease the retardation of the rotary member proportionally to the movement of the member in the direction of departure of the strand group from the gathering surface, spaced electrical switches which limit the range of movement traversed by the member which are closed on contact with the lever, and a solenoidoperated valve for controlling the passage of fluid to the motors connected electrically with the limit switches so as to interrupt such passage when either switch is closed.

11. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters; a cord twister for receiving strands simultaneously from the singles twisters; a separate hydraulic motor for driving each twister; a pumping system for passing liquid simultaneously through the mtotors comprising a pump, conduit means for passing the liquid from the pump to the motors, and separate conduit means for returnin the liquid discharged from the motors to the pump; and emergency stopping means comprising soleonid-operated valve means for controlling the passage of liquid to each motor, and electrical-switch means responsive to predetermined changes in the tension of the cord passing into the cord twister, said switch means being electrically connected with the valve means for interrupting the passage of liquid to the motors when a predetermined change in tension is attained or exceeded.

12. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus com prising a plurality of singles twisters; a cord twister for receiving strands simultaneously from the singles twisters; a separate hydraulic motor fordriving each twister; a pumping system for passing liquid simultaneously through each of the motors comprising a pump, conduit means for passing the liquid from the pump to the motors, and separate conduit means for returnin the liquid discharged from the motors to the pump; and tension-regulating and emergency stopping means comprising a movable member about which the strand material is adapted to be passed and gathered into a cord on its way to the cord twister, said member being resiliently responsive to the tension of the strand material which passes from it to the cord twister, a fluid-pressure responsive device for restraining the movement of the strand material about the member, limit switches defining a range of movement of the member and bein separately actuated at predetermined maximum and minimum tensions respectively of the strand material, and electrically operated valve means operatively connected to the limit switches for stopping the passage of liquid to each motor-when either of the limit switches is actuated.

13. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters; a cord twister for receiving strands simultaneously from the singles twisters; a separate hydraulic motor for driving each twister; a pumping system for passing liquid simultaneously through each of the motors comprising a pump, conduit means for passing liquid from the pump to the motors, and conduit means for returning the liquid discharged from the motors to the pump; and tension regulating and emergency stopping means comprising a movable member resiliently responsive to changes in the tension of a strand material passing around a portion thereof, fluid-pressure sensitive means for restraining the movement of the strand material passing around a portion of the member, said restraining means being mounted for movement with the member, spaced electrical switches for limiting the range of movement traversible by the member, said switches being arranged to be closed on contact by the member, a valve having a control element linked to the member; said valve having a fluidreceiving portion connected with the first-named conduit means, an exhaust port, an outlet connected with the fiuid-pressurelsensitive means, and a movable fluid-directing means connected with the control element for passing liquid from the fluid-receiving portion to the port and the outlet to vary the relative communication of liquid pressure thereto in response to movement of the member; and solenoid controlled valve means in the conduit means for passing liquid from the pump to the motors having the solenoid portion thereof electrically connected with the switches.

14. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister for receiving the strand from the singles twisters, a hydraulic motor for driving each twister, a first manifold separately connected with each of the singles twister motors, a second manifold separately connected with the cord twister motor. pumping means for supplying liquid to and maintaining uniform liquid pressure in the manifolds, means for regulating the pressure of liquid passing to eachmotor, a liquid reservoir, conduit means connecting the pumping means and the reservoir, a duct connected with the exhaust portions of each of the motors and leading into the reservoir; and an emergency twister motor, pumping means for supplying liquid to and maintaining uniform liquid pressure in the manifolds, means for regulating the pressure of liquid passing to each motor, a liquid reservoir, conduit means connecting the pumping means and the reservoir, a duct connected with the exhaust portions of each of the motors and leading into the reservoir; and a tension regulating and emergency stopping means comprising a movable member resiliently responsive to the tension of a strand materialwhich passes around a portion of it, a fluid-pressure responsive device for restraining the movement of strand about the member, a valve linked to the movable member and controlled thereby for transmitting fluid-pressure to the device in accordance to movement or the member, limit switches engageabie by the member at predetermined maximum and minimum strand tensions, an electrically operated valve means connected with switches for stopping the passage of liquid from the manifold to the motors.

16. A multiple-spindle twisting apparatus comprising a plurality of singles twisters, a cord twister for receiving the strand from the singles twisters, a hydraulic motor for driving each 10 twister, a first manifold separately connected with each of the singles twister motors, a second manifold separately connected with the cord twister motor, pumping means for supplying liquid to and maintaining uniform liquid pressure in the manifold, means for regulating the pressure of liquid passing to each motor, a liquid reservoir, conduit means connecting the pumping means and the reservoir, a duct connected with the exhaust portions of each of the motors and leading into the reservoir; and an emergency stopping and tension regulating means comprising a movable member resiliently responsive to the tension of a strand material passing around a portion thereof, fluid-pressure sensitive means mounted on the member for restraining the movement of the material which passes around the member inversely as the strand tension varies, spaced electrical switches which limit the range of movement traversible by the member and which are closed on contact with the member, a valve having a control element linked to the member; said valve having a fluid-receiving portion connected with one of the manifolds and having anexhaust port, an outlet connected with the fluid-sensitive means, and a fluid-discharging portion connected with the control element to vary the relative pressures in the liquid entering the exhaust port and the outlet; and solenoid-controlled valve means through which the fluid passes from the manifold to each motor having its solenoid element electrically connected with the switches.

ROBERT D. HEFFELFINGER.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

